Going back to the basics (Psalm 100)
Ps 100:1-5
There are times when we live through a difficult period and are shaken in our convictions about God’s character. At other times we experience a season of ease and may drift away from the Lord. Alternatively, it is possible to become so immersed in one part of Scripture, focusing on certain aspects of God’s involvement in the world that we lose sight of the big picture. In our Jeremiah studies, the focus has often been on sin and God’s judgement, so as we prepare for Christmas in this advent season, it is good to balance out this picture with an affirmation of some other foundational truths about our God.
Serving God with joy
This psalm in its simplicity does just that. The psalmist calls all the earth to shout joyfully to God (Ps 100:1). The focus is not only on Israel, but the whole world. God is not only our personal God or the God of the Church, but the master of the universe. Serving God is a reminder again that He is Lord, but it is also a term used to indicate worship and it is one that is meant to be done with joy (Ps 100:2). When God’s service, reading the Bible, prayer, giving, meeting together as church, helping others, become only a chore, then we have lost the wonder of knowing God’s presence with us.
Who God is and who we are
As a remedy, the psalmist reminds us to know (that is, acknowledge) that the Lord is God who created us (Ps 100:3). Being a self-made man or woman is often admired in a Western context and we are at times immensely proud of our achievements. As science and technology make advances, we are also increasingly capable of re-inventing our identities and changing our bodies (at least to some degree) to match our desires: women into men, men into women, old into young and so on. These changes reinforce our sense of self-sufficiency, but our autonomy is illusory. Despite our enormous self-reliance and freedom to make of ourselves what we will, there has never been so much loneliness, confusion, anxiety, and fear over who we are and what our purpose is in this world. Knowing that we did not make ourselves puts limits on our independence, but we can also be encouraged as the sheep of His pasture because our Shepherd cares for His flock. We are not alone and the One who made us also designed us with a purpose.
God’s goodness, lovingkindness and faithfulness
Understanding who God is and who we are calls forth a desire to be in His presence like the worshippers in ancient Israel, who entered the gates of the temple and gathered in its courts (Ps 100:4). Their purpose was to meet the Lord, to thank Him for what He had done and to praise His name, i.e. His character (names reflected who a person was; v.4). Finally, the last verse sums up the foundational truths about God: His goodness, lovingkindness, and faithfulness (Ps 100:5). His goodness means that, even in a sinful and evil world, He is able to weave the effects of these into His good purposes and shape the lives of those who love Him so that His image is formed in them (Rom 8:28-29). His lovingkindness is His commitment to us in relationship in loyal love, acting on our behalf and doing what we cannot do for ourselves and coming to our aid in need. Finally, faithfulness (sometimes translated trustworthiness or truth and juxtaposed with sheqer, a self-serving lie; e.g. Prov 12:17; 14:5; Jer 9:3) implies a steadfast character whose purpose is to benefit others rather than oneself.
Examining ourselves
As we examine ourselves, what does this psalm confront us with? Do we acknowledge that the Lord is God who knows of everything that goes on in our lives? Do we serve Him with joy? Do we find our identity and sense of purpose in Him, our Creator, and know that He cares for us? Do we seek His presence and praise Him as we remind ourselves of His character and what He had done for us? May we know His loyal love and unfailing support and be reassured that He can turn all things to serve His good purposes in our lives.
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